A family history of dementia does not mean you are destined to suffer from the condition, according to new research from the University of Exeter in the UK.
A study of almost 200,000 people showed the risk can be reduced by up to a third by living a healthy lifestyle.
The study followed people over 64 years of age for eight years, and found those leading a healthy lifestyle – not smoking, exercising moderately and regularly, eating a balanced diet and not drinking to excess – were less likely to develop dementia.
Researchers say this could translate to hundreds of thousands of people not developing dementia as they age.
This type of research cannot show a causal link, but does show a pattern – and living a healthier lifestyle has many other documented benefits, so it makes sense!
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